The Ebonyi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the recent attack on journalists covering a political event in Ikwuator Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of those behind the incident.

The demand was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the council’s congress held Monday at the Dr. Sam Egwu Press Centre, Abakaliki, and signed by the State Chairman, Comrade Nwafor Samson, and Secretary, Comrade Chinaza John.

The congress described the attack on journalists, allegedly carried out by suspected political thugs led by Barr. Friday Agbom, as barbaric, recalling that the assailants reportedly attempted to set ablaze a branded NUJ bus conveying journalists invited to cover the political event.

It called on the Ebonyi State Government and security agencies to fish out and prosecute the perpetrators in accordance with the law, stressing that the safety and
security of journalists remain critical to the survival of democracy.
The union also urged political parties in the state to caution their members and supporters against harassing or attacking journalists as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum, warning that any further attack on journalists could compel the NUJ to boycott the coverage of activities of the affected political party.

Congress further resolved to formally communicate the State Governor, security agencies, political parties and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on the attack and other concerns relating to the safety and security of journalists in Ebonyi State.
The NUJ appealed to members of the public to recognise that journalists perform duties in the public interest and urged anyone with complaints against any journalist to channel such grievances to the union or appropriate security agencies instead of resorting to violence.
On development issues, the congress commended Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for the proposed establishment of the Abakaliki Cement Factory, describing it as a landmark initiative capable of creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs and accelerating economic growth in the state.
It also applauded the governor for approving the 2026 promotion and conversion exercise for civil servants, saying the decision had renewed workers’ morale and would boost productivity, while commending the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Sylvester Nwenugu Nwite, for efforts to improve environmental sanitation and urging the government to provide specialised refuse collection vehicles to strengthen waste management.

If intended for the front page, a stronger headline could be: “Attack on Journalists: NUJ Threatens Boycott of Political Parties’ Activities” or “Attack on Journalists: NUJ Demands Arrest of Suspected Political Thugs.”